Pinoy Illustrator Interview: Liza Flores

Liza Flores, illustrator and former President of Ang INK, answers questions about her creative process and the challenge of illustrating Dear Nanay, our book which was published by Lampara Books (2014).

a. What attracted you to use paper when illustrating a book for children?

I have always loved paper! As far as I can remember, whenever I'm at National Bookstore, or any store that has paper, I'd be looking at the store's paper selection (whole sheets, cut sheets, gift wrappers, notebooks), even if I had no real use for it. In a trip to the US, I bought Manila paper, just because their Manila paper had a nice thickness, and was in a nice yellowish-crafty color. 

I think the idea of using paper was planted in my head when I got a set of Japanese bookmarks when I was around 10 years old. 

Then I discovered I was pretty good with scissors. 

b. How different is this medium to, say, water color or digital media as far as rendition is concerned?

When I use paint or colored pencils, I have to have a very clean and detailed drawing of the whole book before I can color. (1) I start by making small thumbnail studies. (2) Then, I draw all the pages again, but this time bigger, a little bigger than the book's size. I use regular bond paper and a pencil when I do this. (3) With A light box, I trace my drawings on to the actual paper board I'll be using. (4) Finally, I color my line drawings.

With paper cutouts, I can jump from rough thumbnail studies straight to cutting. I don't draw on the paper I cut. I just imagine the shapes I need, like a circle for a head of a character, then I cut. Almost any object can be simplified into simple, basic shapes. So I would cut one piece or element at a time, move things around to see what works, and build each character, scene, and page as I go along. Then, I glue the parts when I'm happy with what I have.

c. What was your approach to Dear Nanay? The story is pretty sad, but you made it appear light and cheerful.

I remember Beth Parrocha saying that whenever she got a sad story, the more she wants to make the illustrations happy. That's how I felt after reading the manuscript. 

Also, how the story was written was already easy to understand. So I figured there was room for the illustrations to be less literal. I could illustrate sending a letter via snail mail, or via email, but why not via paper airplanes? 

d. Is being an artist/illustrator your first choice of career? If not, what made you become one? If it is, what keeps you in it?

I couldn't decide what course to take when I was applying for college. I knew I liked art, and maybe something communication-related, but that was it. So I ended up choosing Visual Communication (Fine Arts), not really knowing what I'd be when I graduate. 

It never occurred to me that being an illustrator was a career until I saw INK's exhibit whan I was in college. In fact, it's funny that it never occurred to me that real people made the drawings in my favorite books. And when I saw the illustrations of Robert Alejandro, Mel Silvestre, Joanne de Leon, Beth Parrocha, I thought, hey, I'd like to do that too!

I enjoy the process of making a book. I like imagining the story and making it "real". I learn something new every time: about the materials I use, about what I am capable of, about how to tell a story better. Then, there's the happy bonus of seeing my work printed, and being enjoyed by the one reading it.

International Book Giving Day 2014: Books Given Away

Because it was International Book Giving Day last February 14, 2014, I gave away two of my books: My Daddy! My One and Only! (Lampara Books, 2013) and Tales From the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories (De Las Casas and Gagatiga, ABC CLIO, 2011).

Here's a photo of the first book given away --

This is Mr. Joseph De Santo, my co-teacher and friend. He is married to a Filipina and they have a daughter whom they named Mayumi.

Author of the Month: Michael Pinto

Author of the month is Mr. Michael Pinto, Filipino "male" librarian whose book, Layb Life: Mga Kwento at Karansan ng Isang Librarian hit the bookstores last year. In this interview he answers questions about writing, the profession in general and his publishing dreams for the future. Mr. Pinto hails from Cagayan, Tuguegarao.

a. What prompted or inspired you to write? Any back story on the book and your writing journey?
 

 At the age of 25, I became the Director of Libraries of our university and I know that this experience is one of a kind since only few can be in that position at an early stage of my career. Since my experience is one of a kind, I thought of writing my experiences being the head of the library, from the day-to-day experiences up to the things I observed during seminars and conferences. All of these prompted me to write the book. At first, writing articles was just a past time for me especially when I feel stressed in my work. Eventually, I did not noticed that I already have a handful of articles so I decided to publish it so that others can be inspired (I hope so). 

b. Other than being the youngest administrator of USL, what would you consider as the most remarkable thing that happened to you as a librarian?

I believe the most remarkable thing that happened to me is when I meet new people in the profession and in my work. In fact, I learned a lot from the people I meet. Other than that, I think other remarkable things that happened to me are: First, after 3 years of being the Director of Libraries, we were able to get the Outstanding Academic and research Library Award in 2010 by PAARL. Second, I became active member of PLAI and organized a library association in Cagayan, Kalinga and Apayao. Lastly, I was able to help a lot of people through the position I handle.



c. What are the challenges faced by a librarian writing about his/her profession?

First, that others might misinterpret what I am writing. Not everyone can appreciate what you are doing. Second, there are still traditional mind who don’t want to acknowledge new things.  Lastly, my bashers who always look for my mistakes. But I thank them because through them, I was able to write the book.

 
d. Do you have another book project? What is your dream book?

Yes I have. I am currently on the verge of writing another book. I hope to publish it before November of this year. As to my dream book, I want to write a book based on the outline of subjects in the BLIS Program. Maybe a textbook for BLIS subjects.

e. What are your favorite books? Who is your favorite writer?

I don’t have favorite book. I read if it interest me.
Favorite author: Og Mandino, Bob Ong       

f. If you were a book, what kind are you?

Satirical book 
g. Describe your writing process/creative process.
As I have said, I write when I’m stressed. I write during my leisure time and I only write if there is something that triggers me.


h. Any message to young aspiring librarians and librarians who wish to be published in the future?

Do not be afraid of writing, just write. Don’t mind your grammar, that’s the work of an editor. Write what you think can open the minds of your reader. Write what you love and love what you wite. That’s the secret.

Library Bulletin Board: From Tablet to Tablet, March 2013

Last January 23, I posted a photo of our library bulletin board having only three images on the evolution of the book.

It looks like this now -

Studies of New Book Projects

Totet  de Jesus' studies for Big Sister

Liza Flores' studies on Dear Nanay

Book Project Update: A Tale of Two Dreams

I posted a preview of Bernadette Wolf's ink studies and water color of the book we expect to see published this year, 2013, by Lampara Books Philippines. Latest update is that the teacher's guide I worked on last December 2012 is set as appendix to the book.

Taleof2 dreams teachersguide from Zarah Gagatiga

If all goes well with the publication time line, the illustrated story book shall be born before July! Hopefully, in time for National Children's Book Day.

Author of the Month: Russell Molina

Let's kickstart 2013 with an author interview. The blog's featured Author of the Month is Mr. Russel Molina.

In this interview, he shares his thoughts on his writing process and how he started out as a writer. He reveals his inspiration for writing the PBBY Salanga 2012 winner, Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon. Illustrated by Hubert Fucio and published by Adarna House, the story book is available in bookstores nation wide.

1. When did you start writing for children?

I started in 1998 with the story "Ang Lumang Kumot ni Lola."  I wrote it then entered it in the PBBY Salanga Writer's Prize.  Luckily, it was given a special citation that year.  I took that win as a nudge that I should pursue writing for children.  I never stopped writing ever since.  

My background is really advertising.  I write copy (text) for numerous print ads and television spots. So it's also like telling stories in 30 seconds or 15 seconds.  So the shift from writing copy to creating children's stories wasn't a leap.  I actually use what I learn in advertising when I write for kids and vice versa.  It's a fun process.  

2. What was your inspiration for writing "Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon"?

"Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon?" is a combination of two experiences first, as a child growing up and visiting the barbershop with my mom and dad and second, as a father bringing my daughter to her own haircut sessions.  

At the 2012 NCBD, Museo Pambata

As a child, I remember sitting in the barber chair and devouring pages of Funny Komiks (remember those?) in between snips.  Those times, I think, were my most creative moments.  Just being alone with your thoughts and your comics.  You can let your mind explode with ideas even if you're stuck to a chair.  And I remember imagining different hair styles then.  "What if" moments come to you when you let your mind fly and wander.

As a father, my heart aches every time I think of the time when my little daughter inevitably grows up -- old enough not to need her dad to tag along.  She would finally make her own decisions, in hairstyles and in life.  So I guess I wrote this story also for parents.  Moments such as these are fleeting.  Embrace them and hold on tight as long as you can.  

3. Among your published stories, which story do you consider the best?

All my stories are my babies.  I gave birth to them. So it is really hard to choose. 

4. Describe the "creative process" you went through while writing "Anong Gupit Nating Ngayon". Did you undergo the same experience while writing your other books?

I really do not follow a strict process when it comes to writing.  Writing is like a journey and I seldom take the same route twice.  I allow myself to lose my way sometimes.  But all my stories start with an idea.  I don't think you can ever begin writing a story without an idea.  What is it that you want to say?  Where do you want to take your readers?  And what is it about your story that would make them sit up and listen?  If you can answer these questions THEN you can start the trek.  

At a public school in Batangas

5. As a writer for children, where do you see yourself ten years from now against the backdrop of Philippine Children's Literature?

I still see myself creating stories that celebrate the Filipino spirit.  Stories open the eyes, minds and hearts of Filipino children.  Books are the best vehicles to encourage kids to get to know themselves better.  And it is important that they read ABOUT themselves in the pages.  There are still a lot of Pinoy stories that are left untold.  I hope to continue championing this cause.  

6. Short message please, for teachers, parents, and children who read your stories.

To the parents, the best stories are YOUR stories - stories about your childhood, about your family, about your community and about your life in general.  These are the best stories because you are part of them.  Pass them on to your kids.  These stories are your legacy.  Also, don't forget to read to your kids.  And don't forget to open a book too. 

The culture of reading starts in your own home.  

To the teachers, we need new writers and storytellers and I really believe that you are primed to take on the challenge of creating wonderful stories for kids.  Jump in!  Take the leap!  

Thank you for your support and for making my stories come alive with every telling.  

To the Filipino child, open a Filipino children book today and read all about you.  You have always been our inspiration and we hope to return the favor and inspire you back with our stories.  

Thanks! Happy New Year everyone!  

 

 

Librarians Read Series of 2010

In November 7, 2010, I asked five librarians to guest in the blog and share their reading choices over the years. This blog series was in part, a carry-over of Teen Read Week 2010. From November 8-12, 2012, one Filipino Librarian was featured in the blog. I am re-posting and curating the posts as part of the Filipino Librarian blog series I'll be reviving this month.

The five reading librarians are: Darrel Marco, Ann Grace Bansig, Dean Igor Cabbab, Fe Angela Verzosa, Von Totanes

Would be cool if there's a book discussion group with librarians as members meeting once a month.

Book Reviews in Review 2012

I promised to do more book reviews in 2012 for this blog. Apart from reviews, I'm including book recommendations in the list. As a year-ender the links list would, more or less, show how I fared.

The Best of Chico, Delamar and Gino Top Ten - Book 2

Graphic Novels Review

Teen Read Week

Kwentillon

Filipino Friday

Serendipity Market

The Best of Chico and Delamar Top Ten - Book 1

Books to Movies Adaptation

It looks like I need to do more book reviews for 2013.

A Start Up Bibliotherapy Collection

I visited the Adamson University Library last month and, lo and behold, discovered their Bibliotherapy Collection. This shelf has books on self help, Psychology and Philosophy. There are fiction books as well that carry themes of personal success and struggles.

Reading the poster attached on the shelf, I suppose the collection is a spring board for readers to explore more books. This way, readers are invited to engage in ideas and information that will lead them to a deeper understanding of life and, as the poster puts it, to cultivate a culture of research.

I pulled out one book. Coelho's By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept is a favorite. The piece of paper that's inserted in the book happens to be a feedback and response form. The reader fills this out and submits this to the librarian. For doing this, the reader has a chance on winning a prize.

 Browsing the book I came upon the page where a line goes "To fall in love is risky..." Written beside it, in blue ink is the word: SOBRA. In English, the word means, too much.

Take Time to Read

Teachers will always say they have no time to read. Some alibi, right?

I'd rather take the excuse, so many books, so little time to read because it means that the interest to read is present in the person saying so. We are in a day and age when reading, like library use, needs promotion.

Promote reading by creating interactive library bulletin boards and displays. Use Twitter and FB to post quick reading responses on books read. Regularly send out short but substantial emails to the faculty of new titles and recommended reads. Below are five titles from our library's Teacher Resources.

1. Why the Universe is the Way it Is? by Hugh Ross - examines the complexities of the universe and ties them with the Scriptures. More philosophy than physics, it would lead readers to reflect on the purpose of humanity.

2.The Excellent 11: Qualities Teachers and Parents Use to Motivate, Inspire and Educate Chidlren by Ron Clark - is intended to inspire teachers, parents and allied professionals who work with children. Eleven stories that speak of the essential 11s are featured in the book.

3. Positive Discipline: A Teacher's A-Z Guide - The title says it all :-)

4. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman - Our brains are capable to do both kids of thinking as identified by Kahneman, but when to use fast thinking and slow thinking is the highlight of the book.

5. A New Culture of Learning by Douglas Thomas - a book on educational technology for today's teacher on instructing and facilitating learning to the net generation.

Book Discussion for Librarians

Book discussion 101 rev from Zarah Gagatiga

Picture Book Month 2012

It is November and the calendar is full of literary and literacy events. There will be a Read Lit District affair in Manila come mid-November and it promises a host of popular literary celebrities from here and abroad. Thanks to the National Book Development Board's (NBDB) untiring efforts of bringing readers, writers and lovers of words together, Manila is fast the becoming the new literary events place of this generation. Let's just hope that the sparkle and glimmer of celeb writers who will visit our shores will reach the regions. Perhaps technology can do that. With social media and the Internet, what is not possible these days?

Speaking of which, a US based literary and literacy event is taking place this whole month of November as well. And, thanks to Facebook, I am reminded to blog about it!

It's Picture Book Month!

Dianne De Las Casas, one of the founders of Picture Book Month has consistently been posting updates over at FB. Visit the website for details. There's a theme to talk about and discuss every week for as long as it concerns picture books! Also, there's a long list of authors and illustrators who speak and advocate the creation and readership of picture books.

Why are picture books important?

Dear me. I learned to read through picture books. My kids learned to read through picture books. And I bet, there are lucky kids out there who are learning how to read through picture books. By saying this, we look at reading not just a way to comprehend the written word but a skill set to derive meaning out of pictures, images and visual metaphors. Picture books are a trampoline for young readers so that they'll be able to tackle difficult materials and media in the future.

We're preparing kids for reading and for LIFE. Let's add picture books and the reading of it in their daily diet!

Teen Read Week: My Young Adult Reading List

Here's another query I got from Rochelle Silverio of the UP School of Library and Information Science over at Facebook --

Hi po! I just want to humbly ask on what are your top ten books-to-read for Filipino young adults (local and foreign titles)? I will include them in class. Thank you and hoping for a reply, Coffee Goddess!

She sent me this question a few months back. I deem it appropriate to post it this week for Teen Read Week. I remember sending her a slew of links from this blog on Young Adult (YA) reads I've reviewed over the years. I thought I really did not answer the question so, here goes my post on the matter.

First of all, YA Literature is a name given by American publishers to their line of books for teenagers (13-19 years old). I think this definition for our local YA books, few as they are, will do for now. In the late 80s and early 90s I read Judy Blume, Richard Peck, SE Hinton, Katherine Patterson and a host of romance series for teens like Sweet Dreams and Sweet Valley High. The local materials I read as a teenager were adult fiction that I found available in my lola's sari-sari store and reading materials swapped from friends. I could not name a Filipino YA writer from my teenage years. Nick Joaquin and Paz Marquez Benitez did not write YA. But, I read their works in freshman college. Laro sa Baga, serialized in Liwayway was an adult material but I read it anyway.

Like Philippine Children's Lit, YA Lit is a young enterprise in the country. We do not have a solid body of work on Philippine YA Lit yet. Back in the 90's, the PBBY espoused the Pilar Perez Award to recognize manuscripts written for Filipino teenagers. While it produced note worthy reads, it did not live long. I surmise that the market was unaware of the reading potential among Filipino teenagers. Perhaps the timing to blaze a trail on a Philippine YA award was not ripe yet. Besides, there exist the economic challenge of publishing a YA novel or novella. During the Ang INK Forum last February, a clamor for chapter  books and YA novel surfaced. In the 2nd ReaderCon last August, participants, especially teachers were in search of books for their high school students. The need was narrowed down to novels and novellas in the vernacular.

So, what to do? In my own little way, responding to Ms. Silverio's query and gathering bibliographic data on YA Lit is a start.

My list begins with JK Rowling's Harry Potter series. These books grow with the reader.  Harry Potter is not perfect and his friends are flawed characters. But they all rise to the occasion to defeat Voldemort. JK Rowling made nerds and geeks look cool by saving the world not with magic wands  but with love and sacrifice.

And the rest are...

Candy Gourlay's Tall Story

John Green's Looking for Alaska

Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book

Richard Peck's Here Lies the Librarian

Markus Zusak's The Book Thief

Laura Gallego-Garcis's The Legend of the Wandering King

Mary Ann Schaffer'sThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Cornelia Funke's Inkheart

Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Game

KUTING's Baget's Anthology

These are recent reads. As a teenager, I read these books. And here are some more - speculative fiction I love to reread! Dear me. This are just fiction books.

There's a long list of non-fiction reads as well!

Picture! Picture!

Top Ten Books to Movies Adaptation (Part 1)

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins’ dystopian novel for young adults opened in local theaters last 21 March to the delight of many fans. I tried my best to collect titles representative of the different genres though most of the books in the list carry the same themes found in the The Hunger Games. Dystopian literature is the trend in reading and in publishing but If you have your own list, share it with us!

Let’s create a ripple effect!

Let’s READ!

1. The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

The identity of a mysteriously burned man affected three people who were picking up pieces of their lives at the end of World War II. A nurse, a sapper and a thief form constructs of the English Patient. By doing so, it enabled them to fill in the gaps of their own emptiness.

2. Never Let You Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Three friends, cloned to be organ donors, grapple with the roles designed for them by science and society. If dystopian literature is your kind of reading material, include this book in your reading list this year!

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

A lawyer defends a black man charged with rape. It’s a storyline that’s been used before but Harper Lee’s narrative style is a tactile experience.

4. The Reader by Bernard Schlink

Michael Berg, a young law student, witnesses the trial of his lover who took part in the burning of a church where 300 Jewish women died. A post-holocaust story that describes the painful process survivors go through years after the war.

5. The Godfather by Mario Puzo

A crime novel whose popularity was surpassed by its movie adaptation. The Godfather portrays Michael “Mikey” Corleone’s hesitance to accept the role bestowed upon him by his father as head of the family and its business, that is, running a criminal organization.

6. Stardust by Neil Gaiman

A fantasy novel set in graphic format, Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess team up to offer readers an escape from the mundane and non-magical world. Tristan Thorn entered the Wall as his father did seventeen years ago and he came out from the Wall a changed man.

7. A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar

An unauthorized biography of John Forbes Nash Jr., whose journey to professional success (Nobel Prize in Economics) was marred by his personal battle with schizophrenia.

8. Dracula by Bram Stoker

The seminal gothic novel that inspired artists to create versions of their own, Stoker’s Dracula captures the horror and mystery of the man from Transylvania in epistolary format.

Making it to the list are two Filipino novels --

9. Dekada ‘70 by Lualhati Bautista

A family drama set during the Martial Law years. Amanda Bartolome, a mother of five boys, experienced how her family went through changes in the face of social, political and ideological upheaval that shaped the decade.

10. Kangkong 1896 by Ceres Alabado

A historical fiction set in 1896 when Filipinos took up arms to fight for independence from Spain. Alabado narrates Plorante Acabo’s coming of age journey at the height of the revolution.

World Read Aloud Day: March 7, 2012

I read aloud to my kids when they were younger. Though both have interests other than reading, they still read books and with continuous reading guidance, the appetite for the printed format won't wane.

On March 7, 2012, being World Read Aloud Day, read aloud to a child or to groups of children including your own!

When Librarians Love (2 of 2)

I have said before in many workshops and seminars how my mother, herself a librarian, instilled in me a love for books and reading. She modeled the reading habit and built an environment that was print rich. I am doing the same for my two kids aged 14 and 11 years old.

Nico, the eldest, moved towards music but has nonetheless maintained a reading culture about him. Laid back and creative, he has shown strategies in understanding the world around him and efforts at comprehending difficult tasks in school. I still bring home books I think would interest him. It has been a hit and miss situation. His favorites are graphic novels - Budjette Tan's Trese, Arnold Arre's Mythology Class, The Amulet Series and The Best of Chico and Delamar's The Morning Rush: Top Ten.

One time when in the bookstore, he wandered to the graphic novels section. Turned off by the price, he went to the music section and picked song books of his choice. I let him be. Then again, I worry (the typical mom) when he needs to do tedious and longer reading tasks for academic work, he might not have the stamina to stay on track and follow through when necessary.

Zoe, on the other hand, has started reading chapter books by Beverly Cleary and Roald Dahl. She attempted to read Gaiman and, viola! She finished Coraline in three weeks time. She's the one who writes a lot too. And draws pictures if words are hard to come by. Above is her floor plan for a school library.

Below is the annex of the school library she designed. There was this one time when she told me she wants to be a librarian when she grows up. I would like to think that I am too strong an influence on her choice. I want her to grow up as her own person.

For the meantime, I will continue to bridge them to books that they think and feel confident in reading. Like the typical school librarian, I will guide them in their reading choices and habits.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Ah. The healing power of books and reading!



Best Animated Short Film of the 84th Academy Awards!

Book Reviews of 2011

Here's a recall of the book reviews I posted in SLIA. Not bad. I should do more reviews in 2012.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

KISS Book Reviews: an assortment of book reviews from The Icemark Chronicles, The Cellist of Sarajevo, Odd and the Frost Giants, and The Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy

Numbers

And a slew of graphic novels review --

Beast

Brain Camp and Smile

Ghostopolis

Zeus: King of the Gods

My take on non-fiction quick reviews --

Study Skills for Teens